Non-Jewish Inmates Demand Kosher Food in Prison

21 Jan 2014

Officials in Florida are concerned that a large number of non-Jewish inmates are demanding kosher food. The number of “kosher” convicts vastly exceeds the number of Jewish prisoners, and the state government worries about the cost of the meals, which are prepared outside the facility and individually wrapped to ensure purity.

The New York Timesreports that Florida has seen requests for kosher meals skyrocket. Three kosher meals per day cost $7, as opposed to $1.54 for regular meals. Paranoia about prison-supplied food drives the demand, according to officials–but once they realize kosher food is “limited” (i.e. no bacon/pork), they often switch back.